National coach Sarina Wiegman hopes that the Orange women will soon again hit countries of international top level. On Tuesday, the Netherlands will play against Kosovo in Pristina and then it could just be a big win again.
“We really get better from top matches”, says Wiegman, who so far has won everything with the Orange in the European Championship qualifying with a goal difference of 36 for and 3 against.
“We do improve from matches against the smaller countries in the small space and in speeding up the game, but in the end you want to do that under the highest pressure. We will also experience that at the Olympic Games next year.”
Kosovo, which is 125th in the FIFA ranking, is for the time being the last opponent of the Orange women in 2020. After Tuesday’s away game, the return in Zwolle will be on December 1, but the KNVB will plan another exhibition game on November 27.
“And then we really want to play against a top country,” says Wiegman. “Some contacts have also been made and when it is completed we will announce it immediately.”
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Shanice van de Sanden trained again with the group on Tuesday after she was missing for the past few days. (Photo: ANP)
‘Kosovo is tougher than Estonia’
Last Friday, the Orange played against weak Estonia, which was beaten 7-0 in Groningen. Kosovo is ranked higher by Wiegman. “Kosovo is better and tougher than Estonia. We have to let the ball run and stay away from the tough duels. And then we have to be on the field with just as much energy as against Estonia, for ninety minutes.”
Because the Orange squad has already been qualified for the European Championship due to the victory over Estonia, nothing is at stake against the Kosovar women. But that does not mean that Wiegman starts a lot of permanent basic employees on the bank.
“We are not going to change the team, but there will be some changes. It is also not the case that players need to rest. Everyone wants to play.”
The match between Kosovo and the Netherlands starts on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina. Compared to the international match against Estonia, Shanice van de Sanden returns to the selection, after she was missing on Friday due to family circumstances.
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